Where Innovation Meets the Future of Fabric
The Advanced Textiles Expo, organized by the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA), stands as the premier event for the textile industry, bringing together the entire supply chain from raw materials to finished products. The 2026 edition is set to return to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from November 3–5, with the Emerging Technologies Conference kicking off a day earlier on November 2.
A Hub for the Entire Textile Industry
The expo is expected to draw over 4,000 attendees and feature more than 300 exhibitors, representing every corner of the textile industry. From military and tactical applications to tarps, outdoor recreation, smart fabric technology, marine applications, and shade products, the event offers something for professionals across all markets. Whether you are a newcomer or a seasoned professional, the expo provides opportunities to learn, connect, and discover new ideas.
Educational Programming and Sessions
The 2026 agenda features a robust lineup of educational sessions, networking events, and hands-on learning opportunities. Attendees can choose from classroom-style learning, 50-minute fabricator-led sessions where they work directly with equipment like sewing machines and welders, and roundtable discussions.
Emerging Technologies Conference
The Emerging Technologies Conference, held on November 2, serves as a pre-show add-on event for those seeking deeper insights into cutting-edge textile innovations. Sessions are led by experts in emerging textile technologies and cover topics such as smart textiles and sensor-integrated fabrics, bio-based and circular textile innovations, and clean chemistry and high-performance finishes.
Featured Sessions
Highlights from this year’s programming include:
- Plants: The Original Textile – Exploring lessons and applications for biomimicry, examining how nature’s material systems can inspire sustainable textile solutions.
- From Fiber to Finish – Introducing a new class of high-performance biobased fire retardants engineered through clean chemistry formulations.
- Unfolding Power – Showcasing how origami-inspired fabric is creating the next generation of self-powered sensors for wearable technology.
- Designing and Manufacturing Advanced Medical Textiles – Lessons learned from Bally Ribbon Mills on the medical device industry, a strong market sector for U.S. textiles through 2035.
- Engaging the Next Generation of Textile Professionals – A session focused on strengthening industry connections and inspiring future talent, presented in partnership with the University of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network, and Advanced Functional Fabrics of America.
Practical and Business Education
The expo also addresses practical skills and business development:
- Do It Right: Water Repellency Testing – Covering precision and expertise required for shade and awning fabrics.
- Inside the Signage Industry’s Awning Frustrations – Exploring opportunities for textile professionals to partner with signage companies.
- Utilizing Technology in Workforce Training – Addressing the knowledge transfer gap as institutional expertise leaves the industry.
- Covering the Waves – Exploring the art of creating custom trailerable boat covers.
Industry Trends on Display
A major theme of the 2026 expo is the textile supply chain’s shift toward sustainable feedstocks. Agricultural waste, plant-inspired biomimicry, and biobased fire retardants are moving from research papers into pilot production and, soon, commercial specifications. Sessions like “Plants: The Original Textile” and “Engineering Non-Wood Dissolving Pulp” offer direct access to the researchers and companies driving this transition.
Networking and Special Events
Beyond education, the expo provides ample networking opportunities. Highlights include:
- Pub Night – A collaborative event with the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association, ATA Canada, and the Fabric Structures Association.
- Women in Textiles – A leadership session and networking opportunity.
- ATA Members-Only Headshot Lounge – Professional headshots available at the ATA Hub.
- Fun Run/Walk – A morning activity on November 4.
- Marine Fabricators Association Roadshow – A multi-session education event on the final day offering a preview of the Marine Fabricators Conference.
Looking Ahead
With discounted early bird registration available through September 3 and a full agenda now live, the Advanced Textiles Expo 2026 is shaping up to be an essential event for anyone in the textile industry. From hands-on learning and cutting-edge research to business development and networking, the expo continues to serve as the premier platform where the textile community gathers to shape the future of the industry.